With the lines between television and film becoming increasingly blurred, film festivals have begun showcasing premiere television and streaming service programming as well.
The 21st annual Urbanworld Film Fest was the launch pad for the midseason premiere of “Queen Sugar,” HBO’s upcoming documentary “Baltimore Rising” and the premiere of the latest episode of BET’s Irv Gotti produced anthology series, “Tales.” The “Queen Sugar” screening, which was followed by a panel, was brought to Urbanworld by one of its latest partners, the Oprah Winfrey Network. On the panel were showrunner Ava DuVernay, director of the episode, the great Julie Dash and cast members Kofi Siriboe, Rutina Wesley and Dawn Lyen-Gardner. The panel was moderated by writer and image activist Michaela Angela Davis.
Before the beginning of the screening, Dash, who directed the groundbreaking “Daughters of the Dust,” remarked, “I am very grateful about what Ava has accomplished and what our accomplishments have done to expand the field and bring in more people. It is pretty much the golden age of film and television for women of color. Let’s expand it and keep it rolling.”
Lyen-Gardner, who plays Charley on the family drama about the fictional Louisiana based Bordelon family, shared that it was recent Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown who was partially responsible for her being on the show. She recalls voicing her frustrations to him about her acting career about a year before “Queen Sugar.” She was seriously considering leaving the profession. Brown, she said, told her, “I hear you, but sis, stay in it. There is still more for you to do.”
Wesley, who plays Charley’s sister Nova, walked the red carpet twice: once for “Queen Sugar” and again for the short film “Last Looks,” written by her co-star Nick Ashe (Micah). She opened up about her longtime friendship with Juilliard classmate Lyen-Gardner. She said, “When you see us hug at the end of the first episode, you can tell that’s my girl. Our sisterhood started 10 years ago and I love that I get to share this with her.”
Moderator Davis commented at one point that “Queen Sugar” is a program that she can enjoy even with the sound turned all the way down. It is difficult to disagree. The midseason episode shows that “Queen Sugar” continues to be a visual experience rivaled by few in television. In terms of the story arcs, it is clear that Violet (Tina Lifford) will be facing some huge challenges during the second half of the season. We also meet Charley’s mother, played by Sharon Lawrence (“Shameless,” “NYPD Blue,” “Rizzoli and Isles”) and find out more about hidden aspects of Charley’s personality. Oprah’s bestie Gayle also comes through with a cameo appearance. We’ll also be learning more about Darla. Bianca Lawson continues to deliver stunning nuanced portrayals of a broken woman trying to forgive and heal herself and her family.
The other huge TV reveal was HBO’s “Baltimore Rising,” directed by “The Wire” actress Sonja Sohn, who herself has been an activist for many years. During the panel that followed the screening, she explained why she decided to tell this particular story. She said she “has always been amazed by the amount of work that goes on in Baltimore and puzzled by how little of it you actually see in the media.”
“Baltimore Rising” chronicles the events of police, activists and other community members in the wake of the death of Freddie Grey while in police custody. One intriguing aspect of the film is its highlighting the persistent disconnect between even well-meaning police of all races and the concerns of the community that still believes the police are there to serve and protect them. In one poignant scene, a member of the Baltimore community described as a former gang member meets with the assistant chief of police to strategize about what to do to prevent the violence and carnage he assumes is otherwise a given if the officers being tried in the Freddie Grey case are found not guilty. The gang member, an affable 30-something who goes by the name Shadow, tells the assistant chief that men like him are angry about the lack of jobs. It seems out of place and a distinctly naive thing to mention to a police officer whose only concern is to prevent a riot that he thinks might take place in a few weeks. The film also has footage of ordinary working and middle-class families of activists and how their work affects their personal lives. An important takeaway that also makes this documentary stand out from others like it is the inclusion of conversations about the role of influencing policy and laws in bringing about lasting change. In the context of documentary filmmaking, policy is often the ugly, unsexy step-sister of protest activism.
Finally, “Trap Queen,” BET’s latest installment in its hip-hop anthology series “Tales,” was screened before an audience of extremely enthusiastic fans. Based on the hit song “Trap Queen,” by Fetty Wap, it stars Michelle Mitchenor, Lance Gross and Woody McClain. “Trap Queen” takes the viewer on a thrilling ride through the underside of the club world, where romance blossoms and danger lurks beneath the black lights. Michelle plays Crystal, the pampered girlfriend of club owner and drug dealer Reggie. Mitchenor in a red carpet interview, remarked, “What I enjoy about this particular episode is it made me feel powerful as a woman. You see this young woman who is very well educated find herself in a situation where she is saying how can I use my skill set and the things in life that I have learned on one path to help me on another path? I just loved how we switched the narrative so that what you hear in the song, is not exactly what you’re gonna see on the screen.”
Jermel Howard (“Power,” “All Eyez on Me”) plays antagonist Tyrone. He said about working on the episode, “Getting to meet Lance Gross, Michelle Mitchenor and all of these actors who’ve been in the game longer than me. It’s amazing to put a cast together especially for us as Black people to come together and make something that’s never been done before. This is a first of its kind type of thing.”
After the screening of the show, producer Irv Gotti (Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr.) talked about his experience coming out of the music business and now being a television showrunner. He said, “I had to humble myself and listen and work collaboratively. The hardest I’ve ever worked is how I’ve been working these last few years.” The audience was also let in on a secret about Gotti’s movie preferences. “I love love stories,” he declared. “Yes, ‘A Star Is Born’ is my favorite movie, I love ‘Titanic,’ ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ with Diane Keaton. Most people don’t know that.”
Gotti directed the first episode of the anthology series and the last episode, which will feature singer Mary J. Blige.